When kidney transplant became the only option her Mother Uzma Asghar volunteered to donate her kidney.

Azia had already received a kidney from her father and this was her second kidney transplant.

The surgery took place at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham.

The 12 year old had to stay in hospital for two weeks but was lucky enough to go home for Christmas.

“It was the hardest day of my life being away from Azia,” says 32-year-old Uzma. “We have a special bond” – all the nurses on the ward would say it.

“For all her other operations I have always been by her side, going into the theatre.

“So that was the most horrible part. I was in another hospital. I couldn’t be there to hold her hand and see her wake up.

“The night before I gave her a hug and told her it was OK to cry. I knew it was for the best so that she could get better.

“The next day I was an emotional wreck. I just wanted to see her. When I heard the good news that the surgery had gone well, it was a huge relief.”

Azia’s kidneys failed when she was 2 year old.

She was too small at the time she had to wait three years for a transplant, she survived on dialysis for three years.

Her father donated his kidney at that time.

The operation was successful at the time but after a period of four years her kidney was infected with a virus.

Her kidney was deteriorating and by October this year kidney transplant was the only option.

Her mother immediately volunteered.

“It wasn’t something I had to think about very hard,” says Uzma. “You want your child to have the very best chance in life.

“If I can survive with one healthy kidney and Azia desperately needs the other to live as normal a life as possible, why wouldn’t I choose to donate?

“I had been tested before when she had her first operation, so I knew I was a match.

“My ex-husband was found to be a better match so he donated his, and we always knew that I could be a back-up.”

The operation took over three hours to complete.

Uzam was discharged after making a full recovery after four days.

And after two weeks Azia was also discharged.

“The first six weeks are a critical time,” explains Uzma. “Azia made a better than expected recovery, which meant we were able to be at home for Christmas.

“But it’s not been a typical Christmas. She’s on immuno-suppressant drugs so she can’t go out to public places in case she gets an infection.

“We saw very little of other people, but it was so good to be home.”

“She has been very unwell since September, and has missed so much school,” says the relieved mum.

“When she’s on dialysis there are certain foods that she can’t eat, and she can only have 500ml of liquids every day.

“She will be on medication for life – but that’s OK. Fingers crossed, she can finally start living like a normal 12-year-old girl again.”

Now the mother of the 12 year old is urging everyone to sign-up on the organ donation register, many lives can be saved if everyone sign ups.

“It’s so important that people sign up to the register,” says Umza, who lives in Burton-on-Trent.

“But I think it’s equally important that those who are healthy enough to do so consider live donation.

“It really can be life-changing for those with conditions like my daughter’s.”

Dr David Milford, Consultant Nephrologist at Birmingham Children’s Hospital, the lead for Aiza’s care, says: “Although Aiza’s transplant operation only took place a short time ago, we’re very pleased with the progress she’s making and delighted that she was well enough to be heading home to enjoy the festive period with her family.

“We will continue to closely monitor how things are going through regular check-ups.

“The courage of relatives who willingly give their organs is a real inspiration to our teams.

“We’re also passionate supporters of the Organ Donation campaign. By taking a few minutes to sign up and have conversations with family members, you could be offering the gift of life to others. We’d certainly ask everyone who hasn’t yet considered it to look into it.”